The four Boneslayers and Absinthe rejoin you at the edge of the valley, cheering and in awe of your feat. "Segang braved the gauntlet, but he likely would not have survived without the rest of you," Hargev says, smiling broadly.
RETCON:
Once Segang has been dragged well to safety, and as Melianthe approaches with wand in hand, Jarha says, "Let me try to heal him, since we are not in any more immediate danger."
Jarha kneels over Segang with a reassuring smile on his face, and manipulates the aether to stitch Segang's wounds, taking the non-lethal damage into himself.
As he works, the air and sand around the two of them vibrates chaotically as Jarha's body is suffused with aetheric energy.
Jarha emerges from a trance-like state looking spent but relieved Segang is no longer in danger. He nods smiling at the Boneslayers, but leaves it to the others to answer their query.
[n]Thank you my friend.[/b] Segang says while trying to get over being drug. You know I may well develop a fear of tight places after that experience. Did someone grab my scythe?
"Uh..." Melianthe peeks back at Cindermaw.
Thank you Seren. I know it's not a traditional weapon for my people but I have grown fond of the blade.
"Hargev, does this mean you think magic is all right, then?" says Melianthe, letting go of her Flight Hex finally and settling to the ground. "I think we're due a relaxing cup of tea with the Truthspeaker. There is tea in the Storval Plateau, yes?"
Hargev arches a brow. "I am suspicious of any spells or sorcery that enslave others to their will, as all Shoanti should. Some clans and individuals are superstitious about all magic, but I understand it to be a tool; the wielder's character is far more important."
"Slavery is the worst crime," says Melianthe, nodding in agreement. "What the Thassilonians did to your people is beyond forgiveness. ...I hope I can find a wild place to live in for myself, one day."
Jarha listens intently to the exchange. "I agree, Melianthe. Khepri watches most intently over those enslaved."
After a short rest Segang seems to be over being swallowed and up and joking about it. He is ready to move on.
You leave Cindermaw's hunting grounds behind and track to the northeast, following the ridgeline of the Wyvern Mountains back the way you came. After another night, you pass near the Acropolis the next day and continue northeast. Hargev and the Boneslayers guide you a day further to the House of the Moon.
As you near the site, Nalmid explains its significance. "Unlike most ruins in the Cinderlands, the House of the Moon was not built by Thassilonians. Worship of Desna existed long before even their ancient empire. All Varisians were nomads then, and many worshiped Desna. As Thassilon rose, though, the runelords saw open worship of the gods as a distraction, and destroyed most of the Desnan shrines that dotted the land. The House of the Moon was no exception."
"Yet when Thassilon fell and the Age of Darkness began, a new shrine was mysteriously rebuilt on the site of one of those destroyed shrines. It gave the people who would become the Lyrune-Quah a place of shelter in that deadly age, and today it has become one of the anchors of their culture."
Through the late afternoon haze, the House of the Moon comes into view. A silvery stone shrine stands atop a low promontory in the foothills here. The surrounding stone has been smoothed by ages of wind, but the shrine itself remains as stark and unweathered as the day its final block was set in place.
The structure shimmers with a slightly reflective sheen. A thirty-foot-tall opening allows access to the shrine interior at ground level. The curving sides of the archway are framed by the long peacock-like tail feathers of an immense star monarch carved into the building’s facade. The creature’s wings furl to the left and right, fanning over two side towers attached to the central spire, which rises to a height of 100 feet. Above, a silvery sphere caps the central tower’s peak, as if the moon had fallen out of the sky to become impaled upon the steeple.
The shrine is apparently empty and you see no one moving.
"Something is wrong," Hargev says, bringing his horse to a stop. "Where are the Lyrune-Quah?" Looking around the surrounding hills, you see only a single small camp nearly a half-mile away from the shrine.
This is indeed a place of wonder, but I agree, something is amiss here. Should we investigate inside or first visit that camp. He points across the distance. I think more of what happened here can be learned there.
"We shouldn't be seen too near the House of the Moon," says Melianthe. "Jarha, you or I should fly invisibly over by that camp and scout it out."
"I'm happy to do it, but I would need someone else to give me the power of flight. I should also note that your magical invisibility is a bit more effective than my telekinetic invisibility, although only slightly."
"Oh, and here I thought you flew. Er...I meant Seren, I suppose. In any case, I can do it, if we think that's a good idea."
"I have recently been developing my command over the element of air, and I hope one day to be able to manipulate and control the element to the extent of being able to fly, but I am not there yet."
"Just not as advanced as us women," says Mel with a wink to Seren. She lifts up into the air and turns invisible. "Back in a few minutes."
Melianthe will fly to within 500' of the camp, but not much closer, and stay low to the ground.
Melianthe flies over towards the camp. She finds it occupied by a handful of Shoanti women warriors. One of them stands watch on the edge nearest the temple. She watches your group in the distance, clearly suspicious. She waves to her companions and they mount their horses before riding towards the group.
[ooc]"What were you expecting here, Hargev? Where should the Lyrune-Quah be?"
Seren casts mage armor on herself and then prepares for Mel's return.
WE have company on they way. Segang says as he watches the group approaching. [b[What do we know of these women?[/b] He puts away his scythe and readies his earthbreaker, leaning against it in a casual and unworried way.
Melianthe zooms back and gives her report.
"Women warriors, Shoanti, headed this way."
Jarha waits calmly for their arrival. He stands towards the back to let the others take the lead in the interaction.
Hargev takes a long look at the approaching women and nods. "They appear to be Lyrune-Quah Moon Maidens, the traditional honor guard and protector caste of the Lyrune-Quah. They are an order of rangers who prefer to travel and hunt at night under the moon’s watchful eye." He appears somewhat relieved to see the other Shoanti, but remains edgy.
The four riders approach at a canter and stop a dozen yards away. The lead woman is shaved bald with stylized tattoos covering her entire body and the image of a moon prominent upon her forehead. The other moon maidens share similar markings. The leader flashes a disdainful frown as she glances over the group.
"Skoan-Quah, you are far from the Kallow Mounds. Why are you leading tshamek to our sacred site?" she calls out in Shoanti, addressing Hargev and your Boneslayer guides.
For his part, Hargev shakes his head and replies simply. "They are pursuing the Trials of Respect. We are merely witnesses."
She snorts in a moment of disbelief, but then as she takes a closer look at each of you, her eyes widen. She speaks to you in Common, "I am Tekrakai, Moon Maiden of the Lyrune-Quah. Name yourselves, strangers, and tell me why are you come to the House of the Moon?"
Segang steps up, Earthbreaker casually over one shoulder and speaks. Tekrakai, Moon Maiden of the Lyrune-Quah, I am Segang Gal of the Shriikiri-Quah. I have braved the gauntlet and survived the challenge of the Cindermaw. He looks to his companions to introduce themselves.
Jarha doesn't have anything impressive to say, so he hangs back to let someone else go before him.
Melianthe appears from behind some rocks. "Ah, hello. I am Melianthe, a dusk elf. We seek the counsel of Akram, the Truthspeaker. We were told by Thousand Bones of the Sklar-Quah to seek him at the House of the Moon." She thinks to bow, and then realizes that Shoanti do not...do...that.
Tekrakai nods in understanding. "You seek the truthspeaker's endorsement. Very wise."
She turns and points towards the House of the Moon. "Akram and most of our tribe are still a few days away. We Moon Maidens come as a vanguard to clear out any predators and threats in the area to make it safe for the Quah before they arrive. However," she swallows bitterly before continuing. "A red reaver has take the shrine as its territory, and proven especially dangerous. Its not the pack of gargoyles or a few hungry ankhegs we usually encounter, and three of my sisters have already perished at the monster's talons."
"If we cannot drive off the beast, this year's pilgrimage may need to be rerouted." You can tell the thought of failing the tribe shames her greatly.
Jarha steps forward, somewhat tentatively. "I am Jarha Madu. I have only a general idea what a red reaver is, but, given the dangers we have faced in recent days, I think I can venture to speak for the group in stating that we would welcome the opportunity to be of assistance to the Lyrune-Quah in freeing the shrine from the danger."
What my friend says is right. We would be honored if you would allow us to assist you with this worthy task. I have never faced such a foe. What can you tell us about it? Would it be better to kill it than drive it off? Can it be killed?
; +2 more for arcana
Seren has heard of the magical creature but Melianthe knows quite a bit more. Red reavers are large gorilla-like beasts with six eyes and small atrophied wings. They are slow-witted, but exceptionally cunning. To those that live near them, they are considered akin to violent force of nature, rarely seeking out trouble but aggressive in defense of their territory. A unique trait is their fascination with things of artistic beauty.
To Jarha and Segang, Tekrakai gives a long look as if appraising your sincerity. Hesitantly, she says, "I would be very grateful for your aid. Red reavers are extremely vicious in defense of what they count as territory; driving it off permanently is likely impossible."
Can it be killed? If not could lure it away with something of artistic beauty? And would it say gone long enough for your need?
"Yes, it can be killed," Tekrakai replies to Segang. "We could attempt to lure it away, but as it has marked the shrine as its own, it will only return as soon as it could." She shakes her head. "There will be families and children here."
"We have treasures...but..."
Melianthe turns to consider Seren. "It's slow-witted. Do you think you could fool it with illusory treasure?"
She wrinkles her nose slightly. "I hope it doesn't mark its territory with...oh, any number of secretions."
"...illusory art...?"
"Of course, this won't be a problem ... " Seren smiles coyly.
Tekrakai gathers nods from her Moon Maiden companions. "We are prepared to assault the House of the Moon immediately. If you are ready," she says.
I am ready. Segang says as he looks to his companions.
Seren uses a veil point to turn herself into a heavily tatooed and incredibly beautiful Varisian woman resplendent with colorful scarves and shining jewelry.
"Let's see if the ol' demon likes this Shelly."
She does a slow dance spinning in a circle with a clapping motion that sends her jewelry clattering.
;
“That’s quite a disguise. Is it really you under there, Seren?” Jarha is mightily impressed.
"Under where? It's always me," Seren changes the way she moves, talks and even her accent as she prowls toward the door.
"Let's go extricate this interloper."
Lets hope this reraver is as impressed with you as I am Seren. Segang says as he follows Tekrakai his earthbreaker over his shoulder.
"You could have just turned into a female Red Reaver," says Melianthe. "Hmm, an illusory rival isn't such a bad idea."